Stickup in Rittenhouse Square; PA professors go on strike; Who won the Sam Bradford trade?

Newsletter for Wednesday, Oct 19 2016

When the Delaware River looks like the open sea.

MAN SHOT IN RITTENHOUSE AFTER TRYING TO STOP A ROBBERY

A 39-year-old man was shot at about 9:30 Tuesday night in Rittenhouse Square as he tried to prevent a stickup. Police say two armed men arrived at the park and focused their attention on a group of people. The 39-year-old man had been riding his bicycle and interrupted the attempted robbery. He’s in critical but stable condition and expected to survive. Meanwhile, the police are looking for the suspects and group they attempted to rob, who fled the scene after the shooting.

PROFESSORS GO ON STRIKE AT PA STATE UNIVERSITIES

As of 5 a.m., professors and coaches at Pennsylvania’s state university system are on strike. The state university system includes 5,500 faculty and coaches at 14 universities, including West Chester and Cheyney. Since the summer of 2015, they’ve been working without contracts and plan to strike until a new contract is established. What does that mean for students? Well West Chester is telling its students to go to class. It notes that the professors aren’t required to take part in the work stoppage. And if the professor doesn’t show up? Uh, then the university just recommends the students go home. Nice planning, guys!

A WESTERN PA COUNCILMAN’S ELECTION-RIGGING ‘JOKE’

After weeks of Republican candidate Donald Trump warning that Pennsylvania’s — and the nation’s — election would be rigged, one Western Pennsylvania Republican official circulated an image claiming Pennsylvanians can vote online for Hillary Clinton. The official, according to a screenshot of a Facebook post, is Murrysville City Councilman Joshua Lorenz. Lorenz, a Republican, was most recently elected in 2015 and his term runs through 2019. He also works for the Meyer Unkovic Scott law firm in Pittsburgh and is the vice president of the Murrysville City Council. Problem is, Pennsylvanians can’t vote online. Lorenz said the meme “was clearly a joke.” The matter will be referred to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

POLLS: PA VOTERS SHRUG OFF THAT ‘ACCESS HOLLYWOOD’ TAPE

The latest poll of the presidential race in Pennsylvania showed Hillary Clinton with a 6-point lead over Donald Trump. But the polls that came out last week showed Clinton with a 9-point lead in one and a 4-point lead in the other. And when Real Clear Politics averaged the most recent polls together, it actually showed Trump polling slightly closer to Clinton than before the “Access Hollywood” tape was published by the Washington Post. It’s been an interesting last several weeks and months for presidential race polls in Pennsylvania. Here’s the latest breakdown.

Sometimes, a cookbook is more than a cookbook — it's a cultural statement. The Gefilte Manifesto is also full of delicious food, samples of which will be served at a signing party. Expect Philly Style Bagels, lox-wrapped matzoh balls, pickle-brine Bloody Marys and more.

Where:
Coeur (yes, it's closed but available for private events) at 824 S. 8th St. 19147

BILLY PENN LIKES

WHOEVER WINS SUNDAY’S GAME WINS THE SAM BRADFORD TRADE

The Eagles host the Vikings this coming Sunday. Three weeks ago, the expectations for this game were off the charts, but after two losses for the Eagles, there’s a general sense of unease at what might happen this week. This game has a feeling like when you break up with someone and say you’ll stay friends then they show up at a party you host with someone way more successful than you. ‘Thanks…for…uh…coming, Sam. Good to see you…?’ So who won that trade? The Vikings? Or the Eagles?

OUTSIDE THE TRUMP PROTEST, HAND-DRAWN VAGINA SIGNS

When Donald Trump campaign workers walk into the office this morning on South Street in Philadelphia, they will be greeted by a list of demands, a pile of signs and a couple drawings of vaginas. A couple dozen protesters showed up outside the Trump campaign office near 8th and South streets this morning as part of a demonstration dubbed “Pussy Grabs Back” Philly. Here’s what it was like.